{"id":204102,"date":"2026-07-12T08:28:46","date_gmt":"2026-07-12T08:28:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tahrir2day.com\/news\/2026\/07\/12\/berlin-wall-in-garden-breaches-planning-rules\/"},"modified":"2026-07-12T08:28:46","modified_gmt":"2026-07-12T08:28:46","slug":"berlin-wall-in-garden-breaches-planning-rules","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tahrir2day.com\/news\/2026\/07\/12\/berlin-wall-in-garden-breaches-planning-rules\/","title":{"rendered":"Berlin Wall in garden breaches planning rules"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A man who sited a section of the Berlin Wall in his south London garden may be forced to remove it, after complaints from neighbours.<\/b><\/p>\n

Steven Thorpe said he bought a chunk of the historic wall in Siggelkow, Germany before bringing it home, hoping to preserve it.<\/p>\n

After installing it by his house in Herne Hill, Thorpe received a notice from Southwark Council describing it as “unauthorised building works” that were illegal without planning permission.<\/p>\n

The property developer said he did not think he needed permission to put an “artwork” in his garden, but said he was now working “constructively” with the local authority. <\/p>\n

Thorpe told the BBC he dug a pit to house the 12ft (3.6m) structure to minimise its impact, with the wall now sitting 10ft (3.1m) above ground.<\/p>\n

He also planted greenery around it to soften his neighbours’ view, he said.<\/p>\n

But in a letter from the council dated 2 July, Thorpe was told the “building works” were “unacceptable” and an enforcement notice would be served.<\/p>\n

It said the installation harmed a neighbouring property because of its “overbearing scale, oppressive sense of enclosure and stark industrial appearance”.<\/p>\n

The notice warned Thorpe he could face a fine of up to \u00a320,000 if he did not successfully seek planning permission.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Thorpe said it was disappointing to receive the notice.<\/p>\n

“I didn’t think I needed permission to put an artwork in my own garden. I don’t consider it to be building works, I consider it to be an installation of a piece of historical architecture and art.<\/p>\n

“I was hoping to preserve a piece of history.”<\/p>\n

“The majority of people seem to very impressed by it. <\/p>\n

“Some of the neighbours have been very supportive, bringing their children around to have a look at it and their grandchildren in a couple of cases.”<\/p>\n

Thorpe said he had also been planning to open his garden to the public later this year, so more people can see it and learn about it. <\/p>\n

Thorpe said he had invited a planning officer from Southwark Council to view the wall, as well as a representative of the local landowner the Dulwich Estate.<\/p>\n

“I look forward to meeting them next week and hopefully they will agree with me and will let me keep it,” he said.<\/p>\n

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Thorpe told the BBC he bought the section of wall after making regular visits to Berlin to play rugby in the late 1980s. <\/p>\n

“Standing beside the Wall, knowing that the Soviet observation posts were looking across at us from the other side, brought home just how real the Cold War was.<\/p>\n

“I returned to Berlin in 1989 just after it came down and watching a city reunite and seeing one of the greatest symbols of division disappear was an unforgettable experience.<\/p>\n

“I suppose it remains one of the defining moments of my lifetime.”<\/p>\n

A Southwark Council spokesperson said: “We have received a planning complaint about a section of wall installed in Dulwich.<\/p>\n

“We will investigate the complaint and take any appropriate action in line with the national planning process.”<\/p>\n

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